title: Angiosarcoma of the breast and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast angiosarcoma is rare and often associated with previous breast cancer treatment. The present study aimed to define long-term outcomes in relation to common prognostic factors. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor was also evaluated, as it may be a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively assessed outcomes in relation to age, association with previous breast-conserving treatment for breast cancer, tumor size, and grade in 19 patients without metastases at diagnosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow-up was 33 months (range, 1-121). There were 6 local recurrences and 6 deaths for disease progression. Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 53% (95% CI, 20-86%) and 49% (95% CI, 14-84%), respectively. No factor significantly affected survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor was positive in 50% of cases and was more frequent in better differentiated cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor with G1/G2 tumors requires further investigations. Our findings suggest that anti-angiogenic treatment in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-positive cases be considered as a novel therapeutic modality in this rare and aggressive disease. Although information is still incomplete, we propose a multimodal therapeutic approach including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy. massimiliano.gennaro@istitutotumori.mi.it
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gennaro
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valeri
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casalini
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Carcangiu
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gronchi
authors.forename: Alberto Rudy
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agresti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor